Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What is the current position with regard to the thresholds that are in place to govern the shareholdings that members of the Government and Ministers of State may hold in private companies? I understand that those thresholds, with the thresholds for gifts, were changed recently. Will the Taoiseach update the House on the new levels? The Standards in Public Office Commission, which is responsible for overseeing compliance with the ethics legislation, has asked to be allowed to conduct its own investigations, but that request has been refused by the Taoiseach. Does he intend to revise that decision? Is that still the position? The Standards in Public Office Commission has also called for the introduction of clear standards of behaviour for office holders and civil servants. The standards which are in place in Britain are known as the "seven principles of public life". I cannot outline the seven principles for the Taoiseach. Has consideration been given to the request made by the Standards in Public Office Commission? Does the Government intend to set out clear guidelines for the patterns of behaviour of Ministers and Ministers of State?

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